Hand problems

[rjm-uk]

When i make big movements with fingers 3 and 4 in my right hand i feel and sometimes hear a horrible crunching sound from the top of my hand near the wrist. What is it?Iits driving me crazy and affecting my playing, it gets a little better as i warm up, i dont think its tendinitus as when i had a break for 6 months it was still there when i returned to the piano, please help, its drving me crazy.

[vladhorwz]

What movements of the fingers causes that?  Lifting them, adducting, abducting or a combination of them?

[rjm-uk]

Imagine doing a large movement trill slowly on fingers 3 and 4,  the problem gets worse as my hand (right hand) starts to point out towards the right. Using each finger on its own is fine, it just seems to be the combination of these two fingers that causes the clicking and cruching.

[xvimbi]

Imagine doing a large movement trill slowly on fingers 3 and 4,  the problem gets worse as my hand (right hand) starts to point out towards the right. Using each finger on its own is fine, it just seems to be the combination of these two fingers that causes the clicking and cruching.

Fingers 3 and 4 cannot be moved up and down independently. Trying to do so and forcing it will lead to problems if done repeatedly over a long period of time. In addition, having the wrist tilted to the right, so that the thumb is aligned with the forarem is a big no-no. Moving the fingers in this position is one of the primary causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. In this orientation, the tendons have to go around corners, so to say, which is not optimal. Instead, try to adopt little-finger-orientation wherever possible. Ideally, the fingher that plays should be collinear with the forearm. This is the most efficient setup and the one that is least prone to injury. Wiggle you fingers while keeping your hand collinear with the forearm. Then tilt the hand to the left and right while continuing to wiggle and compare how that feels. Determine the range of motion around the wrist that will allow you to play comfortably. It will most likely be about the centered third of the entire range.

Coming back to your trill: try to involve wrist and forearm movements as much as possible to aid your playing and reduce finger action to a minimum.

Hope that helps.

[vladhorwz]

Fingers 3 and 4 cannot be moved up and down independently. Trying to do so and forcing it will lead to problems if done repeatedly over a long period of time. In addition, having the wrist tilted to the right, so that the thumb is aligned with the forarem is a big no-no. Moving the fingers in this position is one of the primary causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. In this orientation, the tendons have to go around corners, so to say, which is not optimal. Instead, try to adopt little-finger-orientation wherever possible. Ideally, the fingher that plays should be collinear with the forearm. This is the most efficient setup and the one that is least prone to injury. Wiggle you fingers while keeping your hand collinear with the forearm. Then tilt the hand to the left and right while continuing to wiggle and compare how that feels. Determine the range of motion around the wrist that will allow you to play comfortably. It will most likely be about the centered third of the entire range.

Coming back to your trill: try to involve wrist and forearm movements as much as possible to aid your playing and reduce finger action to a minimum.

Hope that helps.

Well said. 

Although I would add that true carpal tunnel syndrome will only occur if the wrist is flexed, as it puts the median nerve and other tissues in a compromised position within the carpal tunnnel.  Hence the use of a cock-up splint as a primary treatment.  I am not arguing with you xvimbi am I adding to it so don't get defensive